The parents of Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old Cal Poly student who disappeared in 1996, say that the mother of the man accused of killing Smart helped moved the girl’s remains, according to a recently amended lawsuit.
Santa Maria Times reports that according to the complaint, which was updated on May 7 at the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court in California, Susan Flores and her boyfriend, Mike McConville, are accused of helping 80-year-old Ruben Flores remove the remains from his property.
Ruben Flores, who is the father of murder suspect Paul Flores, is accused of moving Smart’s remains from his home in Arroyo Grande in February 2020. Both son and father were arrested last month in connection with Smart’s disappearance and death, but Paul’s mother, Susan, and her boyfriend have not been criminally charged.
Smart’s parents Stan and Denise Smart, initially filed the lawsuit following the arrests of Paul and Ruben Flores but amended it to include Susan Flores and McConville. Smart’s parents stated in the lawsuit that they have been under extreme emotional distress for the past 25 years, following their daughter’s disappearance.
“Had Kristin’s remains not been hidden, re-hidden and then moved yet again, it is reasonably likely (her parents) could have been reunited with the remains of their daughter and would have been permitted the opportunity to conduct a burial service at which their daughter could be laid to rest in a place of honor and dignity, as opposed to the present circumstances where their daughter’s body was discarded like human garbage,” the lawsuit read.
“The remains of a loved one, especially under the conditions of the disappearance and death of Kristin Smart, are precious to the family members of those deceased persons.”
According to the lawsuit, Susan Flores and Mike McConville went to Ruben Flores’ home four days after the February 2020 search and worked throughout the night, helping move Smart’s remains from under the deck of the home.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Smart disappeared on May 24, 1996, after attending an off-campus party near Cal Poly. She called her parents that night at around 8:00 p.m. and left a voicemail. It was the last time they heard from her.
Fellow student Paul Flores told authorities that he accompanied Smart back to the Muir Hall dorm after the party, where she lived. He claimed he then left and walked to his own dorm room at Santa Lucia Hall.
Flores had a black eye while speaking to investigators at the time. He explained it happened after playing basketball, but authorities were skeptical of his story. Flores later claimed he got the black eye while working on a truck. Eventually, he stopped talking to the investigators and obtained an attorney.
When authorities brought cadaver dogs to the campus, the dogs reportedly made their way to room #128 at the Santa Lucia Dorm, where Flores lived. Two dogs showed interest in a mattress on the left-hand side of the room, according to court documents, which was Flores’ side of the room.
According to CARDA dog handler, Adela Morris, there “a strong possibility that a deceased body had been in that room.”
The Daily Beast reported in 2016 that the authorities once had the chance to arrest Flores on rape charges prior to Smart’s disappearance. Additional women reportedly came forward afterward and said Flores also sexually assaulted them.
One of the women said she contacted the San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office and reported the incident, but Flores has never been convicted of any of the alleged assaults.
Officials announced earlier this year that they are investigating several instances of alleged sexual assault against numerous women, which reportedly happened at the hands of Paul Flores.
“Dozens of women have recounted Paul Flores’ sexual assaults and predatory behavior that document his 25 years as a serial rapist,” court documents read.
In March of this year, authorities returned to Ruben Flores’ home and spent two days searching. They used cadaver dogs and ground-penetrating radar while digging in areas outside of the home. Investigators also removed an old Volkswagen from the property.
Ruben Flores has been charged with accessory after the fact; he’s currently out on bail awaiting trial. Paul Flores remains behind bars without bail on a murder charge.
Smart’s remains have not been recovered.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Kristin Smart/Handout; Paul and Ruben Flores/Police Handout]
